The Scottish government wants independent borrowing powers in a bid to help Scotland reflate its economy in the face of the global financial crisis. In an attempt to show support for the idea, ministers yesterday identified a list of key organisations and individuals in favour.

In the same way that Gordon Brown gave the Northern Ireland assembly power to borrow up to £2.5bn, the nationalists want more financial independence for Holyrood so MSPs can make more cash available to boost building projects and secure thousands of jobs.

The issue was highlighted last week with the row over proposals for a new Forth bridge crossing that the Scottish government wants to see built with a cash advance from future capital budgets.

However, the Treasury rejected a request from Finance Secretary John Swinney to spread the cost of the £2bn bridge over 20 years and Labour ministers instead suggested alternatives such as using a public private partnership (PPP) that could see a return to bridge tolls.

The replacement crossing will involve estimated annual construction costs of £330m-£465m from 2013 to 2016 - or 10-12% of the capital budget. The Scottish government wants to spread it over 20 years.

"What this issue clearly illustrates is the need for the Scottish parliament to have borrowing powers, so that we have the ability to phase the funding of major capital projects sensibly and efficiently," said a spokesman for the First Minister yesterday.